#Best hedge trimmer 2022 professional

The teeth are slightly further apart than on most cordless trimmers, which in theory means you can tackle thicker branches, but the Ryobi doesn’t quite have the requisite power. To that end, the big selling point is a Hedge Sweep attachment that clears away clippings as soon as you cut them, like a hairdresser blowing the fluff off your neck. It’s particularly good for making repeated, light passes – which is the best way to tend a neat garden hedge, according to Ljudmil. The sword-like linear design makes it easy to store and fun to wield.

18V 2ah battery with 80min recharge timeĪt the other end of the scale from the mighty Stihl is Ryobi’s far lighter and quieter trimmer that uses the same 18V battery as their electric screwdriver but is still powerful enough for the vast majority of garden jobs.

But if you’re asking what the experts recommend, this is it. The cheaper, quieter and lighter hedge trimmers below will be a better choice for most gardeners. Topiarists may prefer the HS 82 T model, whose more closely-spaced teeth slice at nearly twice the speed for precision cutting. Combined with the relatively low RPM and higher torque, they’re specifically designed for thicker branches and clearing work. When switching between vertical and horizontal trimming, you can rotate the handle by 90 degrees either way, but that’s about the only concession to comfort.Īs you’d expect from a famous chainsaw maker, the blades are extremely sharp and, in this R model, extremely widely spaced. The 1bhp two-stroke petrol engine starts with a short yank on the cord and, although it’s heavy and very loud, the anti-vibration system makes the HS 82 R reasonably comfortable to work with, although perhaps not for the 90 minutes a tank of fuel will last and not without gloves, ear protectors and goggles. That’s why you’ll find it in the back of any serious groundskeeper’s van. We like: weapons-grade performance, if you can afford itĪt over £700, the 60cm-long Stihl recommended by Ljudmil is not cheap but it can tear through almost anything, from big mature hedges to invasive brambles and overhanging branches. If you're looking to spruce up your garden, read our guide to the best leaf blowers and best garden parasols. Because hedge-trimming is a strenuous job, we were looking for a clean, easy cut, good balance and light weight. The rest were tested on a mix of conifer, deciduous and thorny hedges found in most gardens.

#Best hedge trimmer 2022 professional

For that we have taken professional gardener Ljudmil’s advice.

The Recommended team does not own a hedge big or bad enough to test the petrol-powered monster trimmers at the top of the market. The main reason for choosing petrol, Ljudmil says, is to tackle tougher branches, but more powerful 20V and 36V cordless hedge trimmers can be just as good or better.

I would also worry about safety if the hedge is wet.” When you are going up and down ladders the cord is a hazard. Cordless ones are better than electric hedge trimmers with a cord, in my opinion. You can get a good one, like a Ryobi, for under £100 and they are lighter and easier to control. “A lot of people prefer a battery hedge trimmer. Anything over that I think you should leave to professionals. “I wouldn’t recommend a long-bladed petrol trimmer for most domestic use because they’re heavy and can be dangerous if your arms get tired. “Power is important, but so is size,” Ljudmil says. Best electric hedge trimmer (corded) – Flymo Easicut 460.Best extendable hedge trimmer – Husqvarna 120 iTK4-H.Best cordless hedge trimmer – Bosch AHS 55.Best light hedge trimmer – Ryobi OHT 1845.If you're in a rush, here's a quick look at our top five trimmers: The best hedge trimmers in 2023, at a glance

In an FAQ section at the bottom, we've also answered whether petrol hedge trimmers are better, and how thick a branch you can cut through. He recommends Mountfield as a more affordable petrol option.īelow, we've tried and tested several hedge trimmers and recommended Vasilev's top picks. He’s dedicated to his petrol-powered Stihl HS with its two-foot blade, but at £700 it’s probably more machine than most gardeners need. If you’ve read our guides to the best lawnmowers, best strimmers and best secateurs, you know that professional gardeners have strong opinions when it comes to cutting and Ljudmil is no different. With each available in a variety of sizes, it helps to know what kind of job you’ll be using your hedge trimmer for.įor advice, we went to Ljudmil Vasilev of Fantastic Gardeners, who’s been sculpting hedges for a decade. Petrol hedge trimmers are the most powerful, but are noisy and need regular maintenance. Cordless models give greater freedom but only last as long as the battery charge. Electric trimmers are cheap and easy to use but are constrained by their length of cord. What is the best hedge trimmer to buy? It depends on what you're looking for.